I was born and raised in San Francisco California, and I love making photographs. I started taking pictures at a young age when my father bought me my first film camera. For some reason I lost interest in the craft as I got older, but one day I borrowed a digital SLR to take some pictures of my dog, and some photography-loving force inside me just switched on. I immediately went out and purchased my own camera and started revisiting photography again, and it’s been an exciting ride ever since! I’m still trying new things and expanding my portfolio, slowly but surely, and this blog is dedicated to that adventure.

I carry a camera wherever I go. Whether on vacation, shopping, out with friends, or walking the dog, I’m never without a camera!

My blog includes snaps from my everyday life, as well as gear reviews and photography tips. As far as reviews go, my opinions always stem from practical use of a given piece of gear. I don’t shoot test charts or brick walls, and I don’t throw up 100% crops. I prefer to demonstrate how a camera, accessory, lens, or camera bag can be implemented in, you know, actual photography. Enjoy, and thanks for visiting!

Hello Jonathan! I found you via a Google search on Tokina 11-16. I am about to upgrade to a D90 from a 5700 (which will be permanently set up for close-up work on my jewelry, etc.)

I still have my primes from the 80s and although I would prefer a D300s or better yet, D700, funds are low. I feel that the lens quality is more important at this point. I will need a good flash, weather-proof cover, a couple of new filters. What filter do you use on your 11-16? I’ve read that polarizer filter is not good.

Thank you so much for stopping by! The D90 is an excellent camera, and you can’t go wrong with the Tokina 11-16 either. It’s a solid, highly praised, high performing optic. I actually don’t use filters with this lens, but one day I’ll probably purchase a neutral density filter to get slower shutter speeds in bright light. A polarizing filter isn’t bad if you get a good quality one and if you use it for its intended purpose: to cut glare/reflections for instance.

I stumbled onto your site looking for examples of photographs taken with a D300 and a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 VC because I am thinking of purchasing that lens. I am thrilled to see your work. They are very inspirational. I really enjoy how you take the everyday things you do and creatively photograph that moment. I also enjoy reading your commentary how you set up and took the shot. Your are an artist and and a teacher. Thank you.

hi…
Earlier this week, a friend of my office that sits right dsebelah me, using photos suki (suki’s-scraf) as her PC wallpaper.
I am curious to find the photo,
i glad that i found your blog and suki’s photo..
i really love ur suki…^.^

Hey Jonathan .. I was just admiring your work.. WOW.. just to think we all used to meet up with the dominguez near Silver St in SF for service.. and I never knew you and Brigdette first off were an item and wow now Married.. wow congrats.. I think though Marianne told me you guys got married and I forgot.. sorry.. lol! Anywho! I would love to hire you to take pics the next time Im in the bay Area.. I will ask Marianne if she can contact you..But Wow Im a BIG FAN now.. lol! wonderful photos! Just wanted to let you know! Agape! Christina

Just wanted to say that I came across your suki on flickr and have since made your page my homepage, just stunning images!! The use of available and artificial light is a real inspiration to me. I use a D70s and a 50mm 1.8 prime and get alright results but yours are a few steps above of my ability. I’d love to know more about your techniques.

I would love for you to cast an eye over my flickr pets page and see what you think!

Thanks for visiting my blog! I’m touched by your compliment. I love animal shots you have on your stream! Great work! Thanks again for dropping by. You can always shoot me an email if you need any advice =)

i’m lookin over gettin the 24-120 u’r review really knocked my out image quality fantastic, wot should i do?
go for it or get the 24-70 f2.8 used? let me know and keep up with the great work!!!
btw i’m american but livin in italy allmost pro, take alot of wedding’s and other stuff send u some stuff for a review. thanx and happy new years!!!
carmine

That’s a tough choice because each has their advantages. Need VR? Want more focal length flexibility? Go for the 24-120. Have to have f/2.8 and a tank-like build? The 24-70 might be your answer. I am beyond satisfied with my 24-120, but that’s just me =)

Hi Jonathan,
I stumbled upon your work on Flickr, and then found your Blog. Just wanted to say congratulations! You have great technical mastery and an amazing eye! It’s inspiring to see such unique, challenging work. I love that you were able to stick to your Suki project. I tried to do a ‘photo a day’ project in 2010, but ultimately just couldn’t keep up with the time commitment! I’ll definitely keep coming back to your site for inspiration this year. Stop by my san francisco wedding photography site and say hello!

There’s a special place in my heart for that Tokina. I own the 70-200 now, and the difference in size and weight is not subtle at all. The 535 served me very well on my cropped sensor camera. The only issue I have with the Tokina is its relatively slow auto focus. Consider it carefully against the Sigma 50-150, which features hypersonic focus and might do a little better for concert photography.

Hi.
Thank you for your beautiful photos (especially SF and pretty Shiba!) as always. And also thank you for your time on the instagram. I’m Japanese, so I apologize for my English isn’t good.
I went to SF with my husband on last October. We fell in love to SF at first sight. So we’re going to go there again this summer.
My husband want to take photo of “foggy G.G.bridge”.

I’d like to ask you, if you don’t mind. Could you give me some information about the best season and the best position?
Thanks in advance :)

You found my blog! Nice to meet you outside of Instagram. For shots of the bridge with fog, usually autumn is a good season out here in San Francisco. However, you can catch fog in the summer too. Sometimes on particularly hot days, the fog will roll in during sunset or very early in the morning. The Marin Headlands are a great place to take photos from above the bridge with San Francisco in the background. Another good vantage point is Fort Point. Before you trip, feel free to email me and I can provide you with more information if you like. Thanks for visiting my blog!

No photographer, I, but I find your blog most compelling. I’ve been here visiting for the last twenty minutes or so, a most enjoyable Saturday morning pastime. Your page design, as well as your work, reveal you to be a true artist. Curiously, I also find myself with a sudden interest in shiba inu’s! Your page is but the latest gift from WP FP. Congratulations and thx for allowing me to visit. Say “hi” to The City for me.

hai jonathan. im from indonesia. maybe u never heard the country before. Well , i love ur photo , its simple but it stunning . great job. Love the atmosphere of ur works . anyway , right now u are one of my top fave photographer. i do have a wordpress http://www.anathalyst.wordpress.com. come see if u not busy. keep up the good work. u inspire me to do a better work. tebby wibowo.

Nice pics. I posted your 52 weeks on my facebook wall. Thanks for your review of Olympus PL2. I’m upgrading from a nice Panasonic P&S (which itself was an upgrade from a smaller Canon P&S). Can’t believe I’ll soon be back with Olympus. Had an Olympus OM-1 back in the early 1970s. Btw, have you had any trouble focusing with the Panasonic 20mm? I’ll probably get one of those too.

Hi,
Your photo is amazing! I like how clean and clear of it.
I randomly found this on my friend’s fb and randomly found a review on Tamron 17-50.
I was researching about this lens and other lens before but thanks to your review, I think I’ll go for Tamron 17-50 then.
Also by seeing your image, it make me want to walk slower and enjoy this city more!

That’s funny, the links work fine for me. As far as rear curtain on the X100: I haven’t found myself wishing for it. The way it balances ambient with the built in flash is already fantastic. Thanks for the comment!

Hi Jon,
Good day mate, Your photo’s is simply amazing, i actuallly followed your blog and also mansurovs to get the 24-120f4 lens, i was actually going to buy the 24-70, i really don’t like the weight and the focal length, finally got my 24-120f4 VRII , no regrets mate, simply superb sharp even at f4 :-)

Hi Jonathan. I’ve been following your work for a long time, but never commented anything on your blog, not sure why. I’ll do better! Totally love your work, and your dog of course, I’m thinking about getting Shiba or Akita next summer. :) Did you see the movie about Hachiko? Saddest movie ever! BTW, do you use split toning? I would love to see some before/after shots and your processing workflow!

Thanks for stopping by Filip. I very rarely do split toning in fact. Maybe I’ll do a post or two on my post-processing workflow, thanks for the suggestion. Believe it or not, I have yet to see Hachiko. I do notice that they used Shibas to portray him as a puppy though. Very cool! =)

Love your site Jonathan, my son in Scotland introduced me to it & I’m now a regular visitor. He bought the Think Tank Retrospective 5 bag after reading your review & loves it, I think I’ll be getting one too ! Keep up the good writing and great pictures, all the best from the UK.

I found your blog by looking at the “most interesting” photos on the flickr 11-16 group, and I must say I’m really impressed! The photos of your dog look especially professional and your idea for the 52 week project was really creative. You should do commercial photography for Softbank ;)
I subscribed so I’ll be checking back often. Keep up the good work, and all the best from Portland.

You’re blog is awesome and the shots are superb! I also have a Fuji x100, and can’t say anything bad about it.

When I saw your approval of the Nikon V1, I thought that it would be perfect for my dad, who was looking for a portable, speedy camera. Anyway, he ended up getting one and really enjoys it, however it tends to freeze occationally during powering on or off. Have you expericed this issue with your Nikon V1?

Hi Jonathan! I actually stumbled upon your blog while looking for reviews of the Nikon 24-120 f4. Great review, but I’m especially impressed with how you tie together all aspects of who you are through social media. I’m just getting started moving from occasional photography sales to producing an overall “brand”, but I have a long way to go!
Jim Sack

I am looking at the 24-120vr4 also over the 24/70 mm 2.8. Your images are impressive of the wedding of the friends or your friends rather. I shoot with D700 and have Sigma 50mm 1.4, Sigma 85mm 1.4 and a Nikon 80/200mm 2.8. The savings over the 24/70mm would allow me to purchase a Nikon 60mm 2.8 micro.

Think Tank 5 is on my to get list also. Keep up the great photography work and always have “plenty to do in the ……………………….”

Great photos. I came across your blog on the wordpress recommended list. Love the wonderful attitiude you transmit – not only through your photos but also with the words that go with the images. Well done and thank you for sharing.

Hi Jonathan,
Love your work! I recently came across an Olympus OM-2 with a 50mm 1.8 lens at a thrift store. It’s in great working condition so I took a gamble and purchased it. I’m really excited to use it but it’s been forever since I’ve used film. When you post your photos you shot with film, do you get them developed on to a CD or scan them from prints? They are wonderful. I’m inspired to start using my new piece of equipment. I love that film is coming back! :)

I’m a huge fan of your Blog sir!… I can actually relate with the fact that I disregarded photography for so long but one day I woke up reconciled with my first love again. BTW your shots are all as great. I love camping out here and just look at your pictures. Stunning photography at its finest!..Good Job! Sir :-)

Very refreshing. Read interest your articles on Fuji x100s and x100t. Working with FM2n and 50mm f/1.8 right now, pushing Portra 400 to 800. London light now flat as a pancake and grey! Really like how write too!